A Comprehensive Guide to Curved Stairlifts UK
- Curved stairlifts are a custom solution for homes with staircases which have bends, corners or intermediate landings.
- A curved stairlift offers a safe, comfortable and adaptableo ption that can bring independence to those with more complex stairways.
- Prices range from £3,800 to £8,000 for a fully installed curved stairlift. However, rental or reconditioned options are available at slightly lower costs.
Do your stairs bend, curve or have intermediate landings? You may think a stairlift isn’t going to suit your home, but have you considered a curved stairlift? With the ability to navigate twists and turns, a curved stairlift is the perfect solution for those seeking independence to navigate challenging stairways.
In this article, we’ll explore who curved stairlifts are most suitable for, the prices involved in installing one and the pros and cons you should consider. We’ll also look at alternatives to help you make the right choice for your needs.
If you’re interested in getting prices for a curved stairlift, you should speak to a qualified installer. We understand the hassle of calling multiple companies and waiting days to hear back from someone – that’s why we created a simple solution.
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In this guide
What is the purpose of a curved stairlift?
Staircase designs that require a curved stairlift
Curved stairlift prices in the UK
Reconditioned curved stairlifts
Can you rent a curved stair lift?
Find the best stairlifts for curved stairs
FAQ
What is the purpose of a curved stairlift?
Curved stairlifts are designed to help those with mobility concerns to safely travel up and down a staircase that curves, bends or includes landings. Unlike the standard straight stairlift, a curved option allows those with more unique staircase shapes to benefit from a safe and comfortable means of accessing multiple floors.
For staircases that are uniquely shaped, a rail can be custom-made, or fit in separate modules, to ensure a smooth ride around bends, curves or corners. The versatility of curved stairlifts means that they can be used in most home layouts.
Staircase designs that require a curved stairlift
There are several types of staircases which are not suitable for a straight stairlift. These are those which include turns, landings or significant bends. To help you identify if you may need a curved stairlift, we’ve listed the main design layouts below:
| Staircase layouts which need a curved stairlift | ||
|---|---|---|
| Types of staircase | Description | Diagram |
| Fan-turn | This style of staircase features steps that fan out around a corner, forming a 90° or 180° turn. The steps may appear ‘wedge-shaped’. A curved stair lift is always needed for this design. |  |
| Quarter landing turn | In this design, the staircase changes direction in a 90° turn at a landing. If the intended user can navigate the landing, a straight stairlift may be an option, which ends before the turn – this can be a cheaper solution. However, a curved stairlift will safely bring the user past the turn to the top of the stairs. |  |
| Half landing turn | A half landing turn will consist of two straight flights of stairs with a 180° turn at a landing. In this setup you may be able to use two straight stairlifts, if the user can easily walk across the landing – however, for a safer journey, a curved stairlift will travel both flights and across the landing. |  |
| Spiral staircase | Where a set of stairs winds around a central point, a spiral staircase will pose the challenge of tight curves and a continuous bend. Only a custom curved stairlift will be suitable here. |  |
| Winder stairs | These stairs will usually change direction, but do not use a landing. Instead, they just use triangle, or ‘wedge’ shaped stairs to form the turn. These layouts will require a curved stairlift to safely navigate. |  |
| Multiple bends or intermediate landings | In some cases, you may have a staircase design that incorporates multiple changes in direction, landings, curves and some straight sections. For these more complex designs, a curved stairlift will be needed. |  |
If you have a staircase design different to those above, you can read more about different types of stairlift.
Curved stairlift prices in the UK
Curved stairlifts cost between £3,800 and £8,000 when newly installed. Prices vary depending on the complexity of the staircase, rail length, additional features, and stairlift installation time. If you require a custom curved option, you may find prices exceed this by up to £10,000 – £15,000.
You can save on these upfront costs, however, by considering a used option or choosing to rent instead. To help you compare costs, we’ve included current market estimates in the table below.
| Curved stairlift prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Curved starlift models | Cost range (incl. installation) | Average total |
| New | £3,800 – £8,000 | £5,900 |
| Custom curved | £10,000 – £15,000 | £12,500 |
| Rental | £185 – £3,000 initial, then, £100 per month |
£1,593 (up front) |
| Reconditioned (Used) | £1,395 – £4,475 | £2,935 |
Curved stairlift prices vary for a number of reasons. Some of the main factors include:
Customisation
New curved stairlift options are typically custom-made to fit the exact shape and size of your staircase. This bespoke manufacturing process impacts costs as complex designs or extra sections can all add several hundred pounds to your total.
Special features
It’s also possible to add enhanced features to your curved stairlift, such as powered swivel seats, fold-away rails or custom finishes. These additions will also come at a cost.
Brands
As with most products, different manufacturers will charge varying prices for the same thing. It’s important to compare each brand’s reputation, warranty coverage and included features. You can find the most reliable brand and save money with a little bit of extra research.
Complexity of installation
The installation cost for a new curved stairlift can be between £500 and £600. How high this goes will largely depend on the complexity of your staircase, as the more labour-intensive the work is, the longer it is likely to take, which will incur higher costs.
Why are curved stairlifts so expensive?
Due to their custom builds, curved stairlifts tend to cost more than straight stairlifts. To fit a curved stairlift, custom rail systems, complex installation techniques, and additional design elements may be needed, which can all add to the production and fitting costs. Extra time spent on installation, means more costs in labour.
In comparison, straight stairlifts cost less because they are simpler to manufacture and more straightforward to install. Most straight stairlifts use a standard rail, take less time to fit and rarely require any customisations.
To ensure you get the very best price for your stairlift installation, you need to compare quotes from several qualified installers. Searching for them alone can take days, with endless scrolling and reading reviews.
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Reconditioned curved stairlifts
If new curved stairlift prices are outside of your budget, there are alternative options. It is possible to find reconditioned or used, curved stairlifts. Reconditioned stairlift prices in the UK range from £1,395 to £4,475, depending on the supplier.
Using a second-hand stairlift has a number of benefits, the first of which is significant cost savings. Based on current estimates, you could save around £2,400 to £3,500 compared to the cost of a new system.
Reconditioned curved stairlifts are thoroughly tested, repaired and refurbished to meet rigorous safety standards. Many used models also come with a 6 to 12-month warranty to offer any necessary support.
One of the biggest advantages of choosing this option is that used models may be available more quickly, particularly as you won’t be waiting for customisations. Although they may still require a custom-fit rail, using refurbished parts will reduce production needs and, therefore, time and overall costs.
However, it can be difficult to track down used curved stairlifts that fit your property because custom builds are often difficult to reuse without some modifications. There is also a limited availability of reconditioned curved stairlifts, as most users prefer to buy new in order to get the perfect fit, meaning there are fewer options that might be suitable.
If you want to find a reconditioned curved stairlift, it’s recommended that you reach out to reputable stairlift suppliers and specialist mobility companies (such as Multicare Mobility, Age UK Mobility, and Unicorn Stairlifts). They can offer expert advice and ensure that the product you receive is fully serviced and suitable for your needs.
You may be tempted to use private sellers to find used stairlifts, but this is a risky idea. These products may lack warranties, professional checks and aftercare support. When you’re taking care of your mobility and investing in an important piece of equipment, safety and reliability are paramount.
Can you rent a curved stair lift?
An alternative option is to choose a rental curved stairlift. In this scenario, you will pay less upfront for the initial set-up and an ongoing monthly fee. This is an ideal choice for anyone looking for short-term mobility support, those who are uncertain whether this is the best solution, or those whose circumstances are likely to change.
Renting a stairlift is largely beneficial due to the reduced upfront costs. For example, the initial set up can cost as little as £185, with higher estimates in the region of £3,000 – this is significantly less than new or custom builds, which cost between £3,615 and £12,000 extra.
Pros and cons of renting a stairlift
Renting a curved stairlift can be beneficial for a number of reasons, but there are also some considerations to take into account before you make a decision. To help you weigh up the options, we’ve listed the main pros and cons below:
Pros
Lower upfront cost
Compared to buying new, a rental gives you the benefit of avoiding high upfront costs. This can make it a more affordable option for those on a tight budget.
No long-term commitment
Renting a curved stairlift is ideal if you only need mobility support for a short period of time (e.g., if you’re recovering from surgery). You are not tied into a more expensive long-term commitment and can easily have it removed again – this is particularly useful if you’re hoping to sell or move house in the future.
Maintenance included
During a rental, serving and repair costs are usually part of your agreement, meaning you don’t have to worry about costly call-outs if something goes wrong.
Adaptable to changing needs
In the case that you need to move home or have work done to your property, a rental stairlift can easily be removed. This also gives you the option to change or upgrade the type of stairlift you’re using if your circumstances change. For example, perhaps you have been using a straight stairlift and walking the landing, or the last few steps, but now you need a full curved model instead.
Support
You will find that most rental providers offer ongoing support throughout your agreement. This includes set up, controls and support for any concerns – in addition to maintenance.
Cons
Monthly payments
If you plan to keep your stairlift in place for many years, you should consider purchasing a stairlift outright, as you could be paying more in the long run with ongoing monthly payments. It’s worth carefully assessing your long-term needs, if you know your circumstances are not going to be temporary.
No ownership
Despite the length of your rental, you will have no ownership of the system. This can be a reason to consider buying instead of renting, as you then have the opportunity to sell the stairlift if you ever need to.
Limited customisation
For those with very specific needs, it can be beneficial to take advantage of custom options, such as added back support on chairs, or a power swivel option. Unfortunately, custom options usually aren’t available on rentals so enhanced features can be limited. This can be particularly important when looking for stairlifts for seniors.
Availability
If you have a very complex or unique staircase design, it might be difficult to find a rental stair lift that will work in your home. As curved stairlifts are usually custom-made, it can be rare to find an existing model that fits your exact specifications.
Find the best stairlifts for curved stairs
There are multiple stairlift companies you could choose from, which will help you find the best brand and build for your curved stairlifts. Some of the best stairlift brands and models include:
Handicare
Handicare are a well-recognised and highly rated brand which offers quality stairlifts. Its price range for new curved stairlifts is between £4,000 – £6,000+, with a rental option estimated at £3,000 for 6 months, then £150/month.Some of their best curved models are the Handicare Freecurve and Handicare 4000. Both offer a high weight capacity, customisable seats and colours. They are specially engineered for complex layouts, so they would be suitable for almost any staircase.
Acorn Stairlifts
Another reliable option, Acorn curved stairlifts are praised for their fast installation and quick set-up, as they use modular rails. They are ideal for those looking for a quick solution. Acron’s best curved models include the Acorn 180 and Acorn 120 Superglide, with new prices ranging from £5,500 – £9,000 and used options for £3,000 to £5,000.
Brooks Stairlifts
A brand at the very heart of stairlift history (whose founder created the very first one!), Brooks stairlifts are now part of the Acorn company. It’s a very well recognised and trusted brand which offers affordable options made to the highest standards.Its best curved stairlift model is the Brooks 180, offering a slim design and fast installation. Prices for this model, new, range between £3,500 and £5,000. Brooks also offers rental options (£45 – £150/month) or reconditioned (£1,000 – £1,800).
TK Home Solutions (formerly ThyssenKrupp)
Several popular curved stairlift models come from the ThyssenKrupp brand (which is now known as TK Home Solutions). As a ‘Which? Recommended Provider’ in 2024 for its stairlifts, this brand offers quality products with a great reputation.Its best curved models include the TKE S200, Flow 2 and the Homeglide. Prices for these models range between £1,850 and £5,972 for new models. Rental on average for a TKE curved stairlift is between £50 and £150, while used options start from around £3,700.
Platinum Stairlifts
If you’re interested in premium features and stylish design, the Platinum stairlifts range could be a good option. Its offer included perks like powered swivel seats, ergonomic chairs and custom rail colours on most of its models.
The most popular platinum curved stairlift models include the Ergo Curve, Platinum Curve, Heavy Duty Curve and Platinum Ultimate. Prices range between £3,795 and £6,600, with rental options available for £50 to £150 per month.
Finding the right curved stairlift model for your needs is best done with the help of a qualified installer. They can assess your needs and recommend the most suitable options. They can also help you to budget your installation, so you don’t end up paying more than you can afford. You can find the best deals by comparing multiple quotes from local installers. This way, you can find exactly what you need at the right price. However, we know it can be difficult to track down trustworthy firms, it can take hours or days just to make contact – but there is an easier way!
Fill in our simple 30-second form and we’ll do all the leg work. You’ll get up to 4 quotes from local installers within 24-hours. It’s quick, easy and best of all it’s completely free! (with no obligations attached).
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FAQ
What stairlift goes round corners?
A curved stairlift is designed to go around corners, bends, and turns in a staircase. These stairlifts have custom-made rails that follow the exact shape of your stairs, allowing safe and smooth travel around corners and across landings.
Can you put a stair lift on a curved staircase?
Yes, curved stairlifts are specifically designed for staircases with curves, corners and landings. They can be custom-made, rented or reconditioned, but curved stairlift prices vary depending on what you require.
How much do curved stairlifts cost?
For a new curved stairlift, you can pay between £3,800 – £8,000, or between £10,000 – £15,000 for a custom build. Curved stairlifts can be expensive, so it’s important to pick an option that is best for your budget. Rental options start from £185, while used stairlifts start from £1,395.
Why are curved stairlifts so expensive?
Compared to straight stairlifts, curved models cost more due to the precision of producing the parts and the complexity of the installation. You can reduce costs however by considering rental or reconditioned stairlifts.
How much does a curved Acorn stairlift cost?
Prices for curved Acorn stairlifts range between £5,500 – £9,000 for a new model, and £3,000 to £5,000 for reconditioned options. The best curved stairlifts vary greatly in cost, so it’s best to compare multiple quotes before making a decision.
